Chapter 135
Chapter 135
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Wish Pavilion (2)
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The target of the Yin siblings' abuse.
In other words, I shot a glare at Jeong-hyeon and Woo So-rung.
"You have to properly attend class."
At my look, Jeong-hyeon and Woo So-rung flinched.
But Jeong-hyeon was the one who swallowed dryly and opened his mouth.
"That's right, but there's a bit of room for misinterpretation in what Yin So-jeo said."
"How much room for misinterpretation, and how little?"
"While Brother Eon and Sister Dang attend the Corpse Manipulation Technique Overview lecture, the class we take is Understanding History."
But as I listened, something flashed through my mind.
"...Isn't that the subject where you open the textbook and take a test? Fine for you, Jeong-hyeon. But So-rung, you barely got an E grade, right? Is it okay to skip class? Confident about the final?"
"...No, sir."
"'No, sir'? Wait, thinking about it, you're not off the hook either, Jeong-hyeon. Hey, is it okay for the Student Affairs Chief to do that?"
"W-Well, that makes it hard to speak even if I have a mouth, but even so, if I may say one thing, we did attend class properly. It's just that our class does roll call at the end when class wraps up, and Yin So-jeo is making a fuss because we just did roll call and left."
At Jeong-hyeon's words, I scratched my chin.
Seeing things flexibly was more my style than Jeong-hyeon's.
Was it because my mindset had set the atmosphere?
Jeong-hyeon, sweating profusely, added excuses ramblingly.
"As a Taoist who received the Peach Blossom Token, and as the Student Affairs Chief of Azure Bamboo Hall, I know full well it's not an upright action, and I repent it in my heart. However, I thought this matter was urgent..."
And from the sword at my waist, Master clicked his tongue.
"Tsk tsk. What can you expect from Jeong-hyeon when he's always hanging around that shady guy? He's bound to pick up the dye..." ‘?’
"?" Well, it didn't seem bad.
In fact, to navigate the ways of the world, it was good to be a bit flexible with people, and Jeong-hyeon's expression showed he was genuinely ashamed.
‘Feeling ashamed over something this small is just like Jeong-hyeon.’
So, gazing at Yin Xia Lian, I brought up the original question I'd meant to ask.
"What did the Shanxi trip announcement say to get everyone so heated?"
"That's..."
It was then.
As Yin Xia Lian was about to answer my question, mumbling her mouth.
Professor No Sam, who had come to the cadet dining hall, approached me and spoke.
"Eon family kid!"
At the professor's sudden appearance, I and the other cadets at the tables stood up like bamboo shoots after rain, but No Sam waved his hand for us to sit.
"Enough, enough. No need to stand. I just came for a quick word with Eon Yong-un. Eat your meals."
He stopped at the table where I was sitting.
My younger siblings and I offered fist salutes to No Sam.
"Professor, you've arrived."
No Sam then spoke with an awkward expression.
"It's an unwritten rule of the jianghu and iron law among beggars not to disturb a man eating, but sorry for interrupting suddenly."
"As you see, I'm almost done, and these guys haven't even touched their utensils yet, so it's fine. More importantly, what business do you have with me?"
"Ah, it's about this Shanxi trip. How have you roughly assembled the group?"
"Still thinking it over."
"Then let me recommend one person."
At No Sam's words, a tense anticipation flickered in my younger siblings' eyes.
No Sam, who had lived without regard for others' gazes, ignored it and continued.
"Jang-ho. I'd like you to bring that Cheon Jang-ho kid."
He spat out a name utterly different from what my younger siblings expected.
Their eyes all sank darkly.
"Hey, why are you all staring like that? Like you've seen a traitor..."
Only then did No Sam look around and chuckle awkwardly.
"...Now I see. You think I'm recommending Cheon Jang-ho because I'm a beggar? Ha. Haha. The leader tells me to look after the beggar kids in Kaifeng, and here these guys glare at me. Driving me crazy."
This would hurt everyone involved.
I understood both sides a bit, so I had to mediate.
"The announcement has a headcount limit, so they're a bit sensitive. Deep down, everyone knows Professor No Sam isn't the type to recommend Cheon Jang-ho just because he's a beggar."
"...Tch. Hearing you say it, Eon kid, my words might have sounded petty. Sorry, kids! It's not that I'm inarticulate on purpose; I didn't mean it like that!"
"Anyway, may I ask the reason?"
"...As you roughly know, Shanxi is practically run by Taiyuan Merchant Group's money. No major orthodox sects or families, and not even the Murim Alliance's reach."
It was true.
Commonly, the two great merchants of the world are Shanxi merchants and Huizhou merchants, but that's just comparing wealth.
‘In terms of regional control, Silver Radiance Merchant Group can't compare to Taiyuan Merchant Group, which has Shanxi Province in a chokehold.’
And rightly so. Silver Radiance's base had the Nangong family.
Shanxi only had the crumbling Mount Heng Sect.
Thus, Taiyuan Merchant Group was practically the king of Shanxi.
"Same for the Beggar Clan. The Shanxi branch is run by beggars who wear clean clothes and call themselves the Righteous Faction, different from my faction or the current leader's. So, if we ever need beggar cooperation, I thought putting Jang-ho forward would help. No other meaning."
This too was a reason I could nod to.
However, Master at my waist didn't understand and asked me.
"What a beggar-run gang this is. Didn't No Sam have eight knots on his sash? That's elder rank, right? But elders' words don't hold, and that blood clot Cheon Jang-ho's do?" ‘Well, politics. Probably the Shanxi branch leader is at odds with Professor No Sam in the clan. So he figures his own words might be ignored.’
"Hm. Even if elders are low, Cheon Jang-ho is promising in the Beggar Clan, so they'll listen?" ‘Yes. Most beggars see him as next-next leader material at least, and he hasn't picked a faction like Righteous or Unorthodox yet.’
"Beggars live so complicated." The Beggar Clan's internal politics were known to those in the know, but it was still their dirty laundry.
Yet No Sam laid it bare without hesitation, making my younger siblings look apologetic.
No Sam waved it off at them and concluded.
"Man. Just glare at me like that again. Why those eyes? Anyway, I'm not saying must take Jang-ho. Just consider it. If there's someone better, you decide, Eon kid."
"Yes. I'll review it positively."
"Good."
Thus, the storm named No Sam passed.
To hear what I missed in the wind, I turned to Yin Xia Lian again.
"I didn't hear the answer earlier. So why is everyone so heated?"
At my words, Yin Xia Lian bit her lip and deferred with an enigmatic response.
"...I'll put off the answer. Looks like it's not something a few words can cover."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ I learned Yin Xia Lian's deferred answer a few days later.
Wish Pavilion.
In the Azure Bamboo Hall training ground, with a simple sign reading "House that Welcomes the Wishful," in the form of a presentation where quite a few seniors and juniors participated as presenters or spectators.
"Why does Yin Ha-ryeon have to go on this Shanxi trip? Hand over the scouting report on Brother Woo."
"Yes, sir!"
Shwak-
Starting with Yin Xia Lian, who had prepared visual aids along with her resume and Azure Bamboo Hall projects that could seek Taiyuan Merchant Group's aid.
"A brief resume and the businesses I successfully led as Radiant Prosperity Hall Leader in Huizhou Merchant Group. The planned civilian aid site is Taiyuan, the holy land of Shanxi merchants. Naturally, I'll encounter merchant world figures often. Embarrassed to say it myself, but my name is somewhat known in merchant circles. Shanxi merchants will take interest in 'Yin Xia Lian of Huizhou.' Plus, considering Azure Bamboo Hall's ongoing projects, I'm claiming I'm best suited for the negotiations."
She'd spread word to other dorms that it would be a fair competition.
Next up after Yin Xia Lian was Jeon Yeon-ji on stage.
"Didn't expect it to be this serious when I came casually? So, piggybacking a bit on Lady Ha-ryeon's presentation, Azure Bamboo Hall's businesses are something Jeon family can assist with. As you know, Jeon family's name carries weight in Sichuan, Hubei, and even subtle aid from Guanzhong, so Taiyuan Merchant Group in Shanxi can't ignore it."
Next, Yong-myeong took the stage.
"Eon Yong-myeong here. During the last field trip, I realized bone-deep how much of a novice I was. Thus, I want to follow my brother again this time to experience the real jianghu. It'll be helpful. Sorry to say it myself, but brother officially has no family backing. Bringing me will make moving in Taiyuan easier. That's it."
Even Brother So-cheon added a word.
"Well, it'd mean some labor loss, but if Yong-un asks for help, I can't refuse. And for sis's matter too. Anyway, confident in heavy lifting!"
Then, Gok Jun-pyeong and other non-student council cadets, along with my younger siblings, took the stage one after another, each saying their piece.
Watching, Master from my waist sent a word.
"...Was this worth going this far?" ‘That's what I said.’
Anyway.
As the presentations were in full swing, it was Jeong-hyeon's turn.
As always, he cited various historical anecdotes and spun a lengthy speech on why he should be included.
Since I'd planned to take him from the start, I looked away briefly.
And saw Dang Ok-gi holding a stack of documents.
Just in case, I sent her a transmission.
⟨Telepathy⟩ [Dang Ok-gi.] ⟨Telepathy⟩ [...Why?] ⟨Telepathy⟩ [No way you're joining this insane presentation too, right?] ⟨Telepathy⟩ [......] ⟨Telepathy⟩ [I already said you're not coming, didn't I?] ⟨Telepathy⟩ [...Never thought of it?!] But why was the neatly held document bundle suddenly crumpled?
⟨Telepathy⟩ [You have to expand that research to Thousand Poisons Group.] But after saying it, I realized Dang Ok-gi's personality might twist it oddly.
So I added a bit of explanation.
⟨Telepathy⟩ [Honestly, Shanxi group selection could be done by writing names on dice and rolling randomly.] Whoever we take, they're all top late-stage talents anyway.
⟨Telepathy⟩ [But that research is something only you can do. A hundred times more important than this Shanxi trip.] No reply came back.
But Dang Ok-gi's nose, lifted half an inch, seemed to say 'That's right.'
Meanwhile.
As Jeong-hyeon finished his pitch, everyone at the presentation had spoken.
"...Thus, I am the right choice. That's what I think. Thank you."
‘Everyone worth taking, except lazy Cheon Jang-ho and Nangong Yun who just spectated, has gone up and down?’
Honestly, why it got so heated was a mystery.
‘Even So-rung went up, mumbling a few words, so yeah.’
Anyway, the presenters had put in full effort.
I thanked them.
"You all worked hard preparing and presenting. But let me ask one reason. Was this worth blowing up this big? What's the reason everyone went this far?"
Then, participants spat out answers here and there.
One cadet not in the last field trip said he wanted to go this time.
Han Jong from the last group said the hardship had clear rewards despite the toil.
Hearing the reasons, I understood somewhat.
Personal motivations plus competitive psychology had snowballed it.
"Got it. I'll deliberate on the selection and announce tomorrow. But before that, one request: those going on the Shanxi trip aren't winners, nor are those not going losers. No one more or less important."
At my words, the presenters nodded thoughtfully, eyes shining.
But I didn't trust those eyes.
‘Some will be disappointed when the list drops.’
Had to preempt that.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Dark night.
In other words, after official curfew for cadets.
I was personally doing the evening roll call inspection I'd left to Jeong-hyeon for a while.
"Room 502. Coming in."
"Yes. Student Affairs Chief... no? Huh? Vice President personally today?"
"Yes. Me today. Feels awkward after so long? Room 503 has same grade but older than me, right? Let's keep it casual. Room looks clean. All here: Wang-hyung, Won-hyung, Geum-hyung, Jang-hyung, Song-hyung?"
"No absences. But aren't you super busy? Reason for sudden inspection?"
"There's a reason. Shut the door first; no one should hear."
Click-
"This is just for you seniors: the Shanxi trip will likely be grueling. Better to hone formations and personal skills than roll needlessly in hardship. That's why I asked earlier why go so far."
"I-Is that so?"
"Yes. Shanxi trip? Honestly, roll dice with names. So I'm trying to exclude Azure Bamboo cadets as much as possible. Especially you outside seniors; that's why I'm here sharing the inside story."
"...Didn't you just say almost the same to the next room, tweaking words? This is your 'preempting'?" What if the kids sulk and mess up while I'm gone?
Coax them well so they behave even without me.
Or rather, make sure they roll properly!